Advice on DOT approved painkillers ?

Welcome Jajlo to the TTR it's an addictting website, you've been warned, ENJOY

 

If your boyfriend has chronic back problems, driving a truck is only going to make that problem worse. The only "DOT approved" drugs are OTC painkillers like aspirin and ibuprofen.

If he's on narcotic painkillers for his back, he needs to find a different line of work.

 

I was about to say the samething. How serious is his back problem and who's idea was it to get into a truck with that condition?

 

http://www.dot.gov/ost/dapc/odapc_faq.html#9

Section 391.41(b)(12) states: A person is physically qualified to drive a CMV if that person does not use a controlled substance identified in 21 CFR 1308.11, Schedule I, an amphetamine, a narcotic, or any other habit-forming drug. Exception: A driver may use such a substance or drug, if the substance or drug is prescribed by a licensed medical practitioner who is familiar with the driver's medical history and assigned duties; and has advised the driver that the prescribed substance or drug will not adversely affect the driver's ability to safely operate a CMV. This exception does not apply to methadone.
Medical Examiners are required to give careful consideration to the effects of medications on a driver's ability to operate a CMV safely before rendering the driver qualified.
For information on specific drugs and CMV driver qualification, please visit the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration's Medical Program website at: http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/medical. Questions about the effects of many drugs and driver qualification are answered in the Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) section. You may also e-mail your questions to the Physical Qualifications Division at fmcsamedical@dot.gov or call and ask for a Specialist on (202) 366-4001.

hope this helps

 

A couple of things...

1. Cross-country long haul where you drop and hook at both ends is almost unheard of these days. The majority of freight is regional (600-1000 miles). If he pulls a box trailer, there are times where he may have to tailgate a load. I don't know about him, but after I've pulled 22 pallets, weighing upwards of 2000 lbs each, to the back of the trailer, my back is toast between my shoulder blades.

2. Driving long distance in a car and long distance in a truck are VASTLY different things. Even this Volvo I drive, which for a big truck, rides very nice, can be trying on my back when you have to ride on concrete with expansion joints. One trip on I-10 coming out of New Orleans and he'd probably have to call an ambulance.

I would suggest he goes for a ride in a big truck, on a bad road, and see what he thinks about it then.

 

I must agree with lililill. Some times you can haul just a trailer of Bailed boxes. Which are heavy. If they are stacked... Forget about it being easy if there are alot. Specially if your company does not provide power equipment to remove the pallets. There are hundreds of variables that might cause him back pain.

 

Even if the Rx is prescribed and approved by the medical examiner, the company may still opt to not allow a driver to take narcotic pain meds. A company can set policies that are MORE restrictive than the regulations allow about medication use by drivers, but they cannot be more liberal.